How to recognise meningitis

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord, usually due to the spread of an infection. If you suspect that you or someone in your family has signs or symptoms of meningitis, seek medical care right away. Early treatment can prevent serious complications.

Symptoms

It's easy to mistake the early signs and symptoms of meningitis for the flu (influenza). Meningitis symptoms may develop over a period of one or two days and typically include:

A high fever

Severe headache

Vomiting or nausea with headache

Confusion, or difficulty concentrating — in the very young, this may appear as inability to maintain eye contact